Chapter 21: No Matter How Many Concubines I Have, You Shall Always Be My Favorite

He finally kissed her.

Not far away, a man’s temple veins bulged, his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white. The fresh scabs on the back of his hand had just begun to form, only to crack and crumble once more.

It was obvious what kind of jealousy consumed him at this moment!

So she could close her eyes after all.

So she could actually enjoy yielding.

He wished he could tear out Mo Shichang’s tongue immediately!

Inside the pavilion, their tender embrace had not yet ended when a servant hurried over and announced, “Second Young Master, General Ling has arrived.”

Xiao Ming followed the servant’s pointing finger, puzzled. Why would Ling Zhao come here?

Just moments ago, this man had shown nothing but disgust, telling her to leave. Why now chase after her so suddenly?

It couldn’t be out of concern for her, could it?

Xiao Ming froze briefly, then suddenly guessed something. Her heart skipped a beat as she abruptly lifted her gaze to Mo Shichang.

Mo Shichang’s expression was indifferent, but a faint, inscrutable coldness flickered in his eyes. “Ming’er, don’t be surprised. I invited General Ling here to drink. Since he helped you before and now you and I are on the same side, it only makes sense that I should properly thank him.”

A vague unease stirred within Xiao Ming. She hurriedly withdrew from his embrace. “Since you have an appointment, I’ll take my leave.”

Mo Shichang’s fingertip gently traced her cheek, his voice unlike usual—cold, utterly devoid of warmth. “To thank him on your behalf, where do you think you’re going? Come drink with us, shall we?”

He smiled faintly and added, “The daughter of a merchant should be skilled at accompanying men, shouldn’t she?”

Xiao Ming’s face turned pale, her heart clenched so tightly she could hardly breathe.

“Ming’er,” Mo Shichang pulled her stiff form back into his arms, bending to kiss her hair softly, “In a few days, I will ask my mother to bring you to the Ling estate, to take you as my concubine. From then on, you will serve only me. If General Ling can make you happy, so can I. Isn’t that right?”

A thunderous crack exploded in her mind, leaving her thoughts blank.

Xiao Ming lifted her head stiffly, disbelief written all over her face.

“Ming’er, I don’t mind. No matter how many concubines I have in the future, you will be the most cherished.”

Mo Shichang’s gaze flicked casually toward the distant figure, a smile curling the corner of his lips.

Then he turned back to her, his eyes dark and cold, but his voice calm and gentle as he brushed the strands of hair from her forehead.

***

He had once thought she was a pure girl. Though he never intended to take her as his legitimate wife, her striking beauty, that enchanting face, unsettled his heart day and night, compelling him to consider making her a concubine.

But after today’s birthday banquet for his sister, a young servant with a familiar face secretly told him that the servants were whispering: this young Miss Ling acted modest and respectable in front of outsiders, poised and gentle, but inside the manor, she played the submissive, appearing pitiful and delicate, always obedient and flattering.

At night, she practically rooted herself in Ling Zhao’s bedroom, flaunting herself with all manner of seductive charms. Even when serving tea and water, she would remove her hairpins and strip off her clothes.

Especially in bed, her attentions to men were far more elaborate than even the courtesans of Drunken Yan Tower.

Sometimes, when the servants went in to clean the disordered room, the two would be sweating profusely by the window, not even bothering to hide, their moans more melodious than nightingales, stirring desire in anyone who heard.

The supposed aphrodisiac she took was as common as water; her body was already worn out.

The servant’s vivid account left no room for doubt.

Mo Shichang looked at the woman before him with a cold, disdainful gaze. How foolish had he been to treasure her, when she was nothing but a cheap, discarded plaything?

Ling Zhao was shameless.

And she was filthy!

Yet a thought crossed his mind: if he could snatch her away from Ling Zhao, to have this unruly young general witness the woman beneath him flaunting herself in another man’s arms—that would be quite entertaining.

After all, Mo Shichang was about to become the second prince’s brother-in-law. What could a mere Ling Zhao do to him?

At this moment, Xiao Ming felt as if the world was shattering around her.

“Go invite Young Master Ling to the pavilion.” Mo Shichang’s lips curled into a triumphant smirk.

“Yes, I’ll go immediately.”

Xiao Ming’s heart plummeted, her hand in her sleeve digging into her flesh. She had locked away her heart for so long, only now barely opening it to this man, doing absurd things for him, believing she had found a spiritual refuge, a lifeline to pull her out of the mire.

But today, she never expected to be shattered by him and pushed even deeper into the abyss.

Xiao Ming took a step forward but was grabbed by the wrist. Mo Shichang’s teasing yet mocking voice whispered in her ear, “Going to find him again?”

He lowered his gaze and, seeing her pale face, said coldly, “Ming’er, if you leave, the matter of General Ling secretly petitioning the Dali Ministry to reopen your parents’ case will become an official report, submitted to the Emperor’s hall.”

Xiao Ming gasped and froze, motionless, tears welling in her eyes.

He leaned close to her ear, “Do you know what the Emperor will think? What will become of the entire Ling household?”

Her voice trembling, she bit her lip and retorted bitterly, “My parents died by accident. Even if there’s something hidden, the Emperor wouldn’t bother with insignificant commoners like us. Mo Shichang, you’re just trying to scare me!”

Mo Shichang wiped away a tear she didn’t realize had fallen, his voice icy. “Ming’er, you don’t know yet, do you? Your parents’ case is connected to the power struggle for the crown years ago. Your fiancé is nothingI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.